Olive Kitteridge (2008) - Elizabeth Strout

Olive Kitteridge (2008) by Elizabeth Strout is a string of short stories all of which either feature Olive, or in which Olive is either a major or a minor part of. At times I thought Olive irritating and just a plain nasty old biddy. At other times I thought she was basically a good person just doing the best she can.

There are thirteen stories, with linked characters and themes. It is a unique story-telling form that I enjoyed. Set in a small town in coastal Maine, the character studies are wonderful especially Olive and Henry Kitteridge. I really liked Henry for his quiet intelligence and kindness, and that he loved Olive despite her faults. Olive is a character that will suddenly drop a pearl of wisdom. The stories are sometimes funny, other times they would wrench your heart.

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed reading the stories, and enjoyed the thread of continuity of Olive's appearing. Really, I guess I was waiting to see how Strout would introduce her to a story that did not have any direct relationship to her. I would recommend this book.